Anyone who hosts a party knows that food and drinks are an absolute essential. While the former is mostly easy to decide, what about the latter? If your crowd is one that likes a drink in their hands, you can never go wrong with classic cocktails. How about we teach you some easy recipes for the best cocktails that you can serve on all occasions.

1. Dry Martini
One of the simplest cocktails, it is also one of the easiest to make. It is made with gin and dry vermouth and is garnished with some olives or some lemon. Pour this mixture into a martini glass and a happy guest is ensured! Don’t forget to refill their drinks every once in a while!

2. Margarita
A popular cocktail for sure, it is made with tequila, orange liqueur and some lime juice. You serve this concoction with a glassful of crushed ice and a lemon peel to top it off. You can also add some mint, if your guest likes it. A good margarita can be extremely refreshing especially for a summer party!

3. Sidecar
The ingredient list of this classic cocktail includes1 1/2 ounces of cognac, 3/4 ounce orange liqueur (Cointreau), 3/4 ounce lemon juice, freshly squeezed, and an orange twist for garnish. Moisten the rim of the glass and gently dip it in crushed sugar for a rim. It is one of the most famous cognac drinks served across the world and is very well loved. The citrusy tang, the warm tones of alcohol and the sugar rush, all make for a wonderfully entertaining evening.

4. Old-fashioned
If you have a whiskey lover in this house, this is a great cocktail choice for them. An old fashioned usually contains a sugar cube, 3 dashes of bitters, 2 ounces ​of bourbon or rye whiskey, an orange peel and a Maraschino cherry, for garnish. Some do’s and don’ts of an old-fashioned: use quality whiskey for maximum taste, don’t just dump the sugar at the end, instead place it at the bottom of the glass and pour the drink on top, be careful with the bitters, no less, no more. Don’t add soda water to this mix and use large ice cubes instead of the small ones.

5. Mojito
Rum lovers at your party are sure to love this classic cocktail that literally works for every occasion. Its ingredient list is quite basic and it includes 4 mint leaves, 1 lime (for juicing), 1 teaspoon powdered sugar, 2 ounces white rum, 2 ounces club soda, 1 sprig of mint (for garnishing), and crushed ice. This is another drink that is great during hot summers. Add some extra mint leaves to get that heat off your mind.

6. Whiskey Sour
2 ounces whiskey, 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice, 1/2 to 3/4 ounce simple syrup, to taste, and a Maraschino cherry (or lemon peel) for garnish. The simplest of ingredients makes for one of the most delicious drinks! Whiskey sour is a drink that can easily be the favorite cocktail among the crowd. Some even add an egg white to the mix while mixing, giving it a more frothy texture. You may choose to ask your guest what they prefer.

Keeping some of these classic recipes handy will be of great help when planning your party. It ensures you don’t have to do any last minute research and feel frazzled when there are so many arrangements are to be made!